Fabio Capello, a former England manager, has voiced his concerns regarding Thomas Tuchel’s approach to managing the national team. According to Capello, Tuchel, who recently took over the England job, has already made a noteworthy error in his early tenure.
Is Thomas Tuchel’s Work-From-Home Approach a Mistake for England? Fabio Capello Thinks So
Thomas Tuchel was appointed as the England national team manager in October of last year, succeeding Gareth Southgate. He officially commenced his role on January 1st. While Tuchel quickly began assessing Premier League talent by attending four games within his first weekend, observations were made about his absence from key domestic fixtures.
Notably, Tuchel reportedly missed a Carabao Cup semi-final and a full schedule of FA Cup third-round matches. A report in The Times newspaper further highlighted that Tuchel was absent for three Premier League weekends within his initial six and a half weeks in charge. This raised eyebrows and sparked questions about his commitment to on-site scouting.
The Football Association (FA) has granted Tuchel, previously manager at Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, a flexible work arrangement. This agreement permits him to work remotely and regularly travel back to Germany to be with his family. However, this arrangement has not convinced everyone, particularly seasoned managers like Fabio Capello.
Fabio Capello, who managed England from 2008 to 2012, expressed his skepticism about Tuchel’s work-from-home setup in an interview with the Daily Mail. Capello stated unequivocally that he never missed any matches during his England reign due to the crucial need for firsthand player observation.
“You have to go and check the players every game. Not on TV. Live,” Capello emphasized. He elaborated on the limitations of television viewing for scouting purposes, explaining, “On TV, you can see one part of the pitch. But when you go to the match, you can see every moment. The ball is one part, but tactics, positions, everything. You have to see that.”
Capello detailed his rigorous approach to scouting during his time as England manager:
- Attended Premier League matches every Saturday and Sunday.
- Believed in immersing himself in English football culture by living in England.
- Worked from the FA’s Wembley office daily with Franco Baldini.
- Only took Mondays off after match weekends.
Capello acknowledged the inherent challenges faced by foreign managers of the England national team, stating, “As an England manager, if you are English, it is easier, because one or two people think, ‘Why did we choose a foreign manager?'”
However, he concluded by deferring to the FA’s decision-making process. “But that is for the president of the FA. They choose the manager. If they decided this, they think it is the best way. No one arrives with a gun to their head saying, ‘You have to choose this’,” Capello conceded.
Thomas Tuchel took charge of his first England match on Friday. Image: Getty
FA Defends Tuchel’s Flexible Work Arrangement for England Manager Role
The FA has previously defended its decision to provide Thomas Tuchel with greater flexibility in his work location. In a statement released in February, the FA highlighted Tuchel’s active scouting efforts, clarifying:
“Thomas has attended 17 matches – both in England and internationally – to scout English players since joining in January. He is working diligently full-time to evaluate players in preparation for his first squad announcement next month.”
Despite the ongoing debate about his working arrangements, Tuchel celebrated his first victory as England head coach on Friday. England commenced their World Cup qualifying campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win against Albania, indicating a positive start on the pitch.
What do you think? Is Tuchel’s approach the right way forward for the England national team, or does Capello have a valid point? Share your thoughts in the comments below!